Controlling The Mail: Information Power T-Shirt

When you control the mail, you control information is a quote from the TV show Seinfeld. It was spoken by Newman, a mail carrier and Jerry's nemesis, in the episode The Lip Reader. The quote is printed on t-shirts, which are available to buy on Etsy and eBay.

Newman's character

Newman, the mail carrier, is a recurring character and occasional antagonist in the TV show Seinfeld. He is Jerry Seinfeld's nemesis and a frequent collaborator in Kramer's bizarre schemes. Jerry refers to Newman as "pure evil" and greets him with "Hello, Newman" in a snide and condescending tone, to which Newman responds with a falsely jovial "Hello, Jerry". Newman is known for his humorous and sinister tone and is often described as cunning, always scheming against Jerry.

In the episode "The Lip Reader", Newman wants to use Jerry's girlfriend's lip-reading ability to find out what his bosses at the post office are saying about him. Before leaving Jerry's apartment, he proclaims: "When you control the mail, you control information". This line has been immortalised on T-shirts and is often used to reminisce about the days when snail mail was the primary means of communication.

Newman's relationship with Jerry

The T-shirt slogan "When you control the mail, you control information" is a reference to the popular TV show Seinfeld. The character Newman, a postal worker, utters this line in Jerry's apartment, foreshadowing his ability to control information flow and thus gain power. Newman is Jerry's arch-nemesis, and their relationship is a central dynamic in the show.

Newman, played by Wayne Knight, is a recurring character from 1992 until the show's finale in 1998. He lives in the same apartment building as Jerry, either directly down the hall or in another wing of the building, adding to the friction between them. Their enmity is never fully explained, but it is suggested that Newman is jealous of Jerry's easygoing lifestyle as a successful comedian, while he himself toils as a mailman. Newman is portrayed as cunning and frequently schemes against Jerry, often collaborating with Kramer, Jerry's friend, in various get-rich-quick schemes.

Despite their rivalry, there are moments when Jerry and Newman briefly forget their differences and even work together. For example, in "The Shower Head," they join forces with Kramer to buy black-market non-water-saving showerheads. In "The Old Man," Jerry refers to Newman as "a couple of friends," and in "The Soul Mate," they go to the doctor together to get vasectomies (although they change their minds). In "The Label Maker," they attend Super Bowl XXIX together due to a ticket mix-up.

Newman is also known for his unrequited romantic feelings for Elaine, Jerry's friend, and his impressive athletic abilities despite his girth. He is a source of annoyance for Jerry, such as when his secret use of Jerry's apartment results in a flea infestation, or when he gets Jerry into trouble with his parents. Jerry's trademark greeting for Newman is "Hello, Newman" in a snide tone, to which Newman responds with false joviality, "Hello, Jerry."

The depth of their enmity varies, and Jerry sometimes seems to consider Newman merely an annoying neighbour rather than an outright enemy. Newman, on the other hand, sees Jerry as undeserving of his fame and success, referring to his audience as a "half-soused nightclub rabble." Their dynamic adds a layer of conflict and comedy to the show, with Newman serving as a counterpoint to Jerry's character.

Newman's relationship with Kramer

The T-shirt slogan, "When you control the mail, you control information", is a reference to the popular TV show, Seinfeld. The quote is from the character Newman, a mail carrier and the arch-nemesis of Jerry Seinfeld. Newman is a close friend of Cosmo Kramer, Jerry's neighbour.

Newman and Kramer's friendship predates Jerry's arrival at the apartment building they share. They were neighbours for a few years, hanging out, going to the movies and Mets games, and became good friends. When Jerry moved in, he and Kramer became close, and Newman's friendship with Kramer took a back seat. This is the root of Newman's resentment of Jerry.

Despite this, Newman and Kramer remain buddies and are frequently involved in various get-rich-quick schemes together. In one episode, they use a rickshaw to transport people from place to place. In another, they try to find valuable records to sell for cash. In a further episode, they attempt to cash in by transporting New York bottles to Michigan for the higher redemption value, using a U.S. Mail truck obtained by Newman through his job.

Newman is a frequent source of annoyance for Jerry, such as when his secret use of Jerry's apartment results in a flea infestation. However, the depth of their enmity varies, and Jerry sometimes seems to consider him a mere annoyance rather than an enemy. Occasionally, they even work together, such as when they join forces to buy black-market non-water-saving showerheads.

Newman is a fantastic tennis player and a nimble runner, despite his girth. He is also a smoker and has a big appetite. He is described as cunning and is often scheming against Jerry. He is also the closest thing to a main antagonist in the show.

The episode The Lip Reader

The phrase "when you control the mail, you control information" comes from the Seinfeld episode "The Lip Reader". In the episode, Jerry dates a deaf woman named Laura, who is a lineswoman at the US Open. Meanwhile, George, who is also at the US Open with Jerry, gets ice cream all over his face, which is broadcast on television and mocked by the commentators. George's girlfriend, Gwen, breaks up with him, and he suspects it is because she saw him on TV with ice cream on his face.

George finds out that Laura can read lips and asks her to come with him to a party that he knows Gwen will be attending. He wants Laura to eavesdrop on Gwen's conversations to find out the real reason why she dumped him. Jerry initially refuses to let George use Laura in this way but eventually relents.

At the party, Laura watches Gwen's conversation with a male friend, and Kramer, who knows some sign language, tries to interpret for Laura. However, he incorrectly interprets that Gwen and her friend are agreeing to "sleep together" instead of "sweep together". George confronts Gwen and her friend angrily, causing a scene.

The phrase "when you control the mail, you control information" is said by Newman, Jerry's postal employee, in the episode. He says this to Jerry when asking to 'borrow' Laura to spy on his supervisor.

The show Seinfeld

The iconic 90s sitcom Seinfeld revolves around the lives of Jerry Seinfeld and his friends, and their neurotic adventures in New York City. One of the most memorable characters on the show is Newman, Jerry's mail carrier, played by Wayne Knight. Newman's most famous line, "Just remember, when you control the mail, you control... information," comes from Season 5, Episode 6, titled "The Lip Reader," written by Carol Leifer. In this episode, Jerry's deaf girlfriend, Laura, is a lip reader, and Newman wants to use her ability to his advantage to find out what his bosses at the mailroom are saying about him.

Newman's quote has become a popular reference, especially for fans of the show, and it is even featured on T-shirts. The line highlights the power dynamic between the mail carrier and the recipients, with a humorous twist, as it is delivered by the disgruntled postal worker. It is a testament to the show's impact on pop culture that even decades later, this quote is still recognised and celebrated.

The episode also showcases the comedic interplay between Jerry and Newman, with their famous exchange of "Hello, Newman" and "Hello, Jerry." This particular episode further cements their rivalry, as Newman is denied access to Laura's lip-reading abilities, which he believes could benefit him. The situation is made even more amusing by the fact that Laura misreads "six" for "sex" on her date with Jerry, creating an awkward misunderstanding.

Newman's character, though often a villain, provides a great source of comedy in the show, and his dynamic with Jerry is a highlight for many fans. The "When you control the mail, you control information" line has become synonymous with Newman and is a testament to the show's enduring legacy in popular culture.

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